As a reseacher you want to matter. You really want to make a difference in the lives of people with a cardiovascular condition. Now and in the future. That is why you consciously choose to work at the Department of Cardiology of the UMCG, a dynamic department where research and clinical practice are intertwined. We translate problems that we experience in clinical practice into scientific research. We improve patient care with the results of our scientific research. We believe that providing talent room to develop, a solution can ultimately be found for every cardiovascular condition. As a PhD student, UMCG Cardiology therefore offers you plenty of opportunities to follow your interests and give your talent space.

Job description
Heart failure is a major health care problem. Why certain people develop heart failure and why others are protected from it is currently unknown. The objective of the ERC CoG supported project “DISSECT-HF” is to generate 3D engineered heart tissue with the use of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) from specific forms of heart failure. It focusses on three etiologies of HF with a clear trigger and a large inter-individual susceptibility (pregnancy induced heart failure, anthracycline cardiotoxicity and PLN cardiomyopathy) to unravel common pathophysiological mechanisms involved in the development of heart failure.

Recent work from our group has shown that novel pathophysiological mechanisms can be identified with the use of stem cells and tissue engineering (Hoes et al. Circulation 2020, Vermeer et al. JCI 2021). Furthermore, we explore the use of RNA therapeutics in the treatment of heart failure (Grote Beverborg et al. Nat Comm 2021).

For the DISSECT-HF project the PhD student will generate 3D tissue with the use of hiPSC and expose them to specific triggers. Identified targets will be further explored in animal and cell models. The PhD student must have an interest in cardiology and translational science. the PhD student will make use of a wide array of methods, including cell culture, tissue engineering, histology, and proteomic and metabolomic assays. The results of the studies will be published in peer-reviewed Journals and will lead to an Academic dissertation (promotion).

- A Master degree in (bio-medical) sciences.
- Interest in translational cardiology.
- Previous experience with cell and animal models of heart disease is a pro.
- Able to express oneself in English in word and writing.
- 2 references from PIs of Bachelor and/or Master projects.

The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.

In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

A full-time appointment for one year (36 hours a week), with the possibility of extension for a maximum of four years. Your salary will be a minimum of € 2.631,- gross per month in the first year and a maximum of € 3.336,- gross per month (scale PhD) in the final (4th) year, based on a full-time appointment. In addition, the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay, and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC).

Hartcentrum

- You are part of a great team, with strong interaction between experimental, genetic, epidemiological and clinical research groups, all on one floor.
- The PI is present, interacts with you, and has weekly meetings.
- We are well-funded and you will have access to all resources needed for your project.
- There are several PhD students and post docs working on this topic, you will be working in a team.
- We have strong connections with the translational cardiology community in Europe and the USA.
- After successful PhD graduation, candidates with a Dutch MD license are eligible to enter the selection procedure for the Cardiology Residency program in the UMCG.